Visual and auditory user notification methods for smart-home hazard detector

ABSTRACT

Hazard detector for providing a pre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition includes a detection module that detects a hazard level of smoke or carbon monoxide, a storage module that stores a pre-alarm threshold and an emergency threshold, a light source that generates light in a first color, a second color, and a third color, a speaker that generates an audible sound, a horn that generates an audible alarm that a higher volume than the speaker, and a processing module. The processing module receives the detected hazard level and compares it with the pre-alarm threshold and the emergency threshold. The processing module determines that the hazard level is greater than the pre-alarm threshold and less than the emergency threshold and generates an audible pre-alarm speech via the speaker that warns of the developing hazardous condition. The processing module also activates the light source in the second color.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/887,963, filed Oct. 7, 2013, entitled “HAZARDDETECTION IN A SMART-SENSORED HOME,” and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/887,969, filed Oct. 7, 2013, entitled “USER-FRIENDLYDETECTION UNIT,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedby reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to hazard detection. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to hazard detection unitsthat provide pre-alarms for developing hazardous conditions.

2. The Relevant Technology

Hazard detectors use a variety of sensors to detect substances in theair that are harmful or indicate the development of a hazardoussituation. For example, carbon monoxide (CO) and radon gas aresubstances that can be harmful to humans and animals if exposed to highamounts. However, these substances are difficult to detect with thehuman senses because they are colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Ahazard detector can detect the presence of these substances and preventthe harmful effects of exposure by alarming a user. In other instances,a substance such as smoke, while not necessarily harmful in and ofitself, can indicate the development of a hazardous situation, such asfire.

Hazard detectors are certified under standards defined by a governingbody, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),or companies that perform safety testing, such as UnderwritersLaboratories (UL). For example, UL defines thresholds for when smokedetectors and CO detectors should sound an alarm. UL also defines thecharacteristics of the alarm, such as the volume, pitch, and pattern ofthe sound.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a hazard detector for providing a pre-alarm of adeveloping hazardous condition is presented. The hazard detectorincludes a detection module, a storage module, a light source, aspeaker, a horn, and a processing module. The processing module iscoupled to the detection module, the storage module, the light source,the speaker, and the horn. The detection module is configured to detecta hazard level that indicates an amount of smoke or carbon monoxide (CO)present at the hazard detector. The storage module is configured tostore a pre-alarm threshold and an emergency threshold. The pre-alarmthreshold is less than the emergency threshold. The light source isconfigured to generate light in a first color, a second color, and athird color. The second color is between the first color and the thirdcolor on the color spectrum. The speaker is configured to generate anaudible sound and the horn is configured to generate an audible alarm ata higher volume than the speaker.

The processing module is configured to receive the detected hazard levelfrom the detection module. The processing module compares the detectedhazard level with the pre-alarm threshold and the emergency thresholdand determines that the detected hazard level is greater than thepre-alarm threshold and less than the emergency threshold. An audiblepre-alarm speech is generated via the speaker in response to determiningthat the detected hazard level is greater than the pre-alarm thresholdand less than the emergency threshold. The audible pre-alarm speechincludes content that warns of the developing hazardous condition. Theprocessing module further activates the light source in the second colorin response to determining that the detected hazard level is greaterthan the pre-alarm threshold and less than the emergency threshold.

In another embodiment, a method is presented for providing a pre-alarmof a developing hazardous condition. The method includes detecting afirst hazard level that indicates an amount of smoke or CO present at ahazard detector. The first hazard level is compared with an emergencythreshold and it is determined that the first hazard level is greaterthan the emergency threshold. A horn that generates an audible alarm isactivated in response to determining that the first hazard level isgreater than the emergency threshold. Further, a first light source thatgenerates a red colored light is activated in response to determiningthat the first hazard level is greater than the emergency threshold.

A second hazard level is detected and is compared with the emergencythreshold. It is determined that the second hazard level is less thanthe emergency threshold. The second hazard level is compared with apre-alarm threshold that is less than the emergency threshold and it isdetermined that the second hazard level is greater than the pre-alarmthreshold. A second light source that generates a yellow colored lightis activated in response to determining that the second hazard level isgreater than the pre-alarm threshold and less than the emergencythreshold. Further, a speaker that generates an audible pre-alarm speechat a lower volume than the horn is activated in response to determiningthat the second hazard level is greater than the pre-alarm threshold andless than the emergency threshold. The audible pre-alarm speech includescontent that warns of the developing hazardous condition.

In a further embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium ispresented. The computer-readable medium has instructions stored therein,which when executed cause a computer to perform a set of operations. Theset of operations include detecting a hazard level that indicates anamount of smoke or CO present at a hazard detector. The hazard level iscompared with an emergency threshold and it is determined that thehazard level is less than the emergency threshold. The set of operationsfurther include comparing the hazard level with a pre-alarm thresholdthat is less than the emergency threshold and determining that thehazard level is greater than the pre-alarm threshold. A light sourcethat generates light in a first color, a second color, and a third coloris activated in response to determining that the hazard level is greaterthan the pre-alarm threshold and less than the emergency threshold. Thelight source is activated in the second color which is between the firstcolor and the third color on the color spectrum. A speaker thatgenerates an audible pre-alarm speech is also activated in response todetermining that the hazard level is greater than the pre-alarmthreshold and less than the emergency threshold. The audible pre-alarmspeech includes content that warns of a developing hazardous condition.

In one embodiment, a hazard detector for providing a pre-alarm of adeveloping hazardous condition is presented. The hazard detectorincludes means for detecting a hazard level that indicates an amount ofsmoke or CO present at a hazard detector. The hazard detector furtherincludes means for comparing the hazard level with an emergencythreshold, means for determining that the hazard level is less than theemergency threshold, means for comparing the hazard level with apre-alarm threshold that is less than the emergency threshold, and meansfor determining that the hazard level is greater than the pre-alarmthreshold. The hazard detector also includes means for generating lightin a first color, a second color, and a third color in response todetermining that the hazard level is greater than the pre-alarmthreshold and less than the emergency threshold. The second color isbetween the first color and the third color on the color spectrum. Thehazard detector further includes means for generating an audiblepre-alarm speech in response to determining that the hazard level isgreater than the pre-alarm threshold and less than the emergencythreshold. The audible pre-alarm speech includes content that warns of adeveloping hazardous condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of variousembodiments may be realized by reference to the following figures. Inthe appended figures, similar components or features may have the samereference label. Further, various components of the same type may bedistinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1 is an example of a smart-home environment within which oneembodiment of a system for providing a pre-alarm of a developinghazardous condition can be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a network-level view of one embodiment of a system forproviding a pre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition.

FIG. 3 is an abstracted functional view of one embodiment of a systemfor providing a pre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exploded perspective view of a smarthazard detector for providing a pre-alarm of a developing hazardouscondition.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the arrangement pattern of LED lights on ahazard detector, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an illustration representing four different visual effectsthat can be generated by a hazard detector, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an illustration representing variations of a pulse visualeffect that can be generated by a hazard detector, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a rotating visual effect that can begenerated by a hazard detector, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the different hue range patterns associatedwith each of the light elements for a shimmering visual effect that canbe generated by a hazard detector, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a hazard detector forproviding a pre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process for providing apre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an exemplary environment for implementingone embodiment of a system for providing a pre-alarm of a developinghazardous condition.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a special-purposecomputer system for providing a pre-alarm of a developing hazardouscondition.

FIGS. 14-20 represent various illumination states and audio messagesthat may be output by a hazard detector.

FIG. 21 illustrates a chart indicative of various situations in whichpre-alert messages and sounds may be silenced and situations in whichmessages and sounds cannot be silenced.

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary situation of when a heads-up(pre-alert) state is used prior to an alarm (emergency) state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only,and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configurationof the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferredexemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with anenabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment.It is understood that various changes may be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope asset forth in the appended claims.

Conventional hazard detectors operate solely based on thresholds set bythe standards of governing bodies and safety testing companies. Thethresholds define a level or amount for each hazardous substance atwhich an alarm should be sounded. These conventional hazard detectorsare limited and simplistic in operation. For example, their mode ofoperation is binary, either sound the alarm or do not sound the alarm,and the decision of whether to sound the alarm is based on readings fromonly one type of sensor. Several disadvantages are associated with thesesimple and conventional hazard detectors. For example, users are oftensubjected to false alarms caused by conditions that are not actuallyhazardous. Alternatively, conventional hazard detectors sometimes failto sound the alarm for truly hazardous conditions that warrant genuineconcern because the standardized thresholds for triggering the alarmhave not been met.

The embodiments of the invention described herein below overcome thedisadvantages of the prior art by providing a hazard detector that givesa pre-alarm (“Heads Up” notification) of a developing hazardouscondition. The embodiments include a hazard detector that compares adetected hazard level with a pre-alarm threshold and an emergencythreshold. In one embodiment, the emergency threshold corresponds to athreshold defined by a standard and the pre-alarm threshold is less thanthe emergency threshold. If it is determined that the detected hazardlevel is greater than the pre-alarm threshold and less than theemergency threshold, a speaker is activated to generate a pre-alarmspeech at a lower volume than the alarm. A light source is alsoactivated in a less concerning color than the color of the light that isactivated for alarms.

FIG. 1 is an example of a smart-home environment 100 within which oneembodiment of a system for providing a pre-alarm of a developinghazardous condition can be implemented. The depicted smart-homeenvironment 100 includes an enclosure 150, which can be, e.g., a house,office building, hotel, retail store, garage, or mobile home. The systemcan also be implemented in a smart-home environment 100 that does notinclude an entire enclosure 150, such as an apartment, condominium, oroffice space.

The depicted enclosure 150 includes a plurality of rooms 152, separatedat least partly from each other via walls 154. The walls 154 can includeinterior walls or exterior walls. Each room can further include a floor156 and a ceiling 158. Devices can be mounted on, integrated with and/orsupported by a wall 154, floor 156 or ceiling 158. Further, the smarthome environment can include devices outside of the actual enclosure150, such as a pool heater or irrigation system.

The smart-home environment 100 includes a plurality of intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected devices (hereinafter referred to as“the smart devices”) that can integrate seamlessly with each other andwith a computer server system 164, such as a cloud-computing system. Thesmart devices can include smart thermostats 102, smart hazard detectors104, smart entryway devices 106 (e.g., doorbells or intercoms), smartwall switches 108, smart wall plug interfaces 110, and smart appliances112, such as refrigerators, stoves and/or ovens, televisions, washers,dryers, lights, stereos, intercom systems, garage-door openers, floorfans, ceiling fans, wall air conditioners, pool heaters, irrigationsystems, security systems, and so forth.

Any of the smart devices in the smart-home environment can include anynumber of sensors. For example, smart appliances 112 can include sensorsthat detect when they are being used. Additionally, a motion oroccupancy sensor, such as an ultrasonic, passive infrared (PIR), oroptical sensor, can be included in any of the smart devices to detectuser activity and movement. Some smart devices will also have sensorsspecific to the device. For example, a smart light can include anambient light sensor, such as a photoresistor or a single-pixel sensorthat measures light in the room. Smart hazard detectors 104 can includesmoke/fire/heat sensors, carbon monoxide/dioxide sensors, radon gasdetectors, ambient light sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors,and the like. Any smart device can also include a processor forprocessing data from the sensors or other devices.

Each smart device is also equipped with communications ports ortransceivers for communicating data with other smart devices. In oneembodiment, the devices establish a mesh network for communicationbetween devices. In another embodiment, the devices can connect, via arouter or gateway 160, to a private network or the internet 162,including any computer server system 164 and computing device that isconnected to the same network. Data can be transferred via any wireless(e.g., Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, etc.) or wired (CAT6 Ethernet, HomePlug,etc.) protocols.

By virtue of network connectivity, one or more of the smart devices canfurther allow a user to interact with the device even if the user is notproximate to the device. For example, a user can communicate with adevice using a computer (e.g., a desktop computer) or mobile device(e.g., a smartphone, laptop computer, or tablet) 166. A webpage ornative mobile app can be configured to receive input from the user andcontrol the device based on the input. The webpage or mobile app canalso present information about the device's operation to the user. Forexample, the user can view the status of a smart hazard detector or ahistory of notifications generated by the smart hazard detector. Theuser can be in the enclosure during this remote communication or outsidethe enclosure.

FIG. 2 is a network-level view of one embodiment of a system 200 forproviding a pre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition. System 200includes computer server system 164. Smart devices can communicate withthe computer server system 164 via a private network or the internet162. Smart devices can transmit home data 202, including user data anduser activity data, to computer server system 164 for processing orstorage. More specifically, home data 202 can include power consumptiondata, occupancy data, HVAC settings and usage data, carbon monoxidelevels data, smoke levels data, volatile organic compounds levels data,sleeping schedule data, cooking schedule data, inside and outsidetemperature humidity data, television viewership data, inside andoutside noise level data, etc.

The computer server system 164 can further provide one or more services204. The services 204 can include customized hazard notifications,software updates, customer support, sensor data collection/logging,remote access, remote or distributed control, or use suggestions (e.g.,based on collected home data 202 to improve performance, reduce utilitycost, etc.). To facilitate these services, users can register the smartdevices in their home or enclosure with the computer server system 164.Computer server system 164 can associate the smart devices with anaccount during the registration process. The account can be userspecific or specific to a home or enclosure that includes multipleusers, and a unique identification of each smart device can be stored inthe account. In one embodiment, the user's mobile device or othercomputing device can also be associated with the account duringregistration. In another embodiment, one or more username and passwordis associated with the account during registration. The user can thenuse the username and password to log in on the mobile or computingdevice, and computer server system 164 can use the account to authorizethe user's mobile or computing device for the services 204. Anyidentifying information can be used to log in and authorize users andtheir computing devices. For example, the mobile or computing device caninclude a fingerprint scanner, and the user logs in using theirfingerprint. Data associated with the services 204, such as accountdata, can be stored at the computer server system 164.

System 200 includes a processing engine 206, which can be concentratedat a single server or distributed among several different computingentities without limitation. A single server can also include multipleengines for performing different processing tasks. The processing engine206 can receive data from smart devices, index and store the data, orprocess the data to generate customized notifications or statistics. Theprocessed data can be stored as derived home data 208. Results of theprocessing can be transmitted back to the device that provided the homedata, to other devices, to a server providing a webpage to a user of thedevice, or to other non-device entities. For example, hazard eventsgenerated by smart hazard detectors can be received and processed by theprocessing engine 206 before being transmitted to a user device via theInternet 162. In this manner, the processing engine 206 can beconfigured and programmed to derive a variety of useful information fromthe home data 202.

In some embodiments, to encourage innovation and research and toincrease products and services available to users, system 200 providesapplication programming interfaces (APIs) 210 to third parties, such ascharities 222, governmental entities 224 (e.g., emergency response unitssuch as a fire department or police department, the Food and DrugAdministration, or the Environmental Protection Agency), academicinstitutions 226 (e.g., university researchers), businesses 228 (e.g.,security or fire monitoring service providers, social network providers,device warranty or equipment service providers, or providers of targetedadvertisements based on home data), utility companies 230, and otherthird parties. The APIs 210 permit third-party systems to communicatewith the computer server system 164, providing access to the services204, the processing engine 206, the home data 202, and the derived homedata 208. This allows third-party applications to submit specific dataprocessing tasks to the computer server system 164 and receive dynamicupdates to the home data 202 and the derived home data 208. For example,a fire department or fire monitoring service provider can developapplications using the APIs 210 to provide emergency response servicesto users.

In other embodiments, the services 204 can utilize third-party APIs tocommunicate with third-party applications. For example, if a smarthazard detector is triggered, a hazard event can be transmitted to anemergency response system, such as one provided by a fire department,using an API of the emergency response system. Third-party APIs can alsobe used to collect user data and user activity data from third-parties.For example, an API of a social network provider can be utilized togather user activity data for a user.

FIG. 3 is an abstracted functional view of one embodiment of a system300 for providing a pre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition. Smartdevices, such as those of the smart-home environment 100 of FIG. 1,share common characteristics in that each smart device is a dataconsumer 302 (DC), a data source 304 (DS), a services consumer 306 (SC),and a services source 308 (SS). System 300 can be configured to harnessthe large amount of data generated by the smart devices to provide avariety of automated, extensible, flexible, and/or scalable technologiesfor achieving useful objectives. These objectives may be predefined oradaptively identified based on, e.g., user activity data or user input.

System 300 includes processing engine 206, which further includes anumber of paradigms 310. Processing engine 206 can include a managedservices paradigm 310 a that monitors and manages device functions, suchas ensuring proper operation of a device, responding to emergencysituations, or detecting failure of equipment coupled to the device(e.g., a burned out light bulb). Processing engine 206 can furtherinclude an advertising/communication paradigm 310 b that identifiescharacteristics (e.g., demographic information) of a user or products ofinterest to a user based on device usage. Processing engine 206 canfurther include a social paradigm 310 c that collects data from andtransmits data to a social network. For example, a user's status asreported on the social network can be collected and processed todetermine user activity.

The processing engine 206 can also utilize extrinsic information 316with the processing paradigms. Extrinsic information 316 can be used tointerpret data received from a smart device, to determine acharacteristic of the environment near the smart device (e.g., outsidean enclosure that contains the smart device), to determine services orproducts available to the user, to identify a social network orsocial-network information, to determine contact information of entities(e.g., public service entities such as an emergency response team, thepolice or a hospital) near the smart device, or to identify statisticalor environmental conditions, trends or other information associated witha home or neighborhood.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exploded perspective view of a smarthazard detector 104 for providing a pre-alarm of a developing hazardouscondition. Hazard detector 104 can include a smoke detector, carbonmonoxide detector, heat detector, and humidity sensor. Hazard detector104 is configured to sound an audible notification, such as an alarm,when a sufficient level (e.g., above a threshold setting) of smoke orsome other hazardous substance is detected. In one embodiment, hazarddetector 104 also includes other sensors such as a motion sensor orambient light sensor. Hazard detector 104 can also include a wirelesstransceiver for transmitting data, e.g., when a hazardous substance oruser activity is detected, to other smart devices or a computer serversystem.

In one embodiment, hazard detector 104 is a roughly square orrectangular shaped object having a width of approximately 120 to 134 mmand a thickness of approximately 38 mm. Hazard detector 104 includes amounting plate 410 that can be attached to a wall or ceiling and a backplate 420 that can be mounted to the mounting plate 410. Hazard detector104 further includes a front casing 460 that can be secured to the backplate 420 to define a housing with an interior region for containing thecomponents of the hazard detector 104.

A circuit board 445 can be attached to the back plate 420 and variouscomponents can be mounted to the circuit board 445. For example, a smokechamber 430 can be mounted on circuit board 445 and configured to detectthe presence of smoke. In one embodiment, smoke chamber 430 can bemid-mounted relative to circuit board 445 so that air can flow intosmoke chamber 430 from above the circuit board 445 and below the circuitboard 445. A speaker 455 and alarm device (not numbered), such as ahorn, can also be mounted on circuit board 445 to audibly warn anoccupant of a potential fire danger when the presence of smoke isdetected in the smoke chamber 430. Other components, such as a motionsensor (e.g., ultrasonic, passive IR, etc.), carbon monoxide sensor,temperature sensor, heat sensor, ambient light sensor, noise sensor, oneor more microprocessors, and the like may likewise be mounted on circuitboard 445.

In one embodiment, a protective plate 440 can be attached to circuitboard 445 to provide a visually pleasing appearance to the innercomponents of hazard detector 104 or to funnel airflow to smoke chamber430. For example, when a user views the internal components of hazarddetector 104, such as through the vents in back plate 420, protectiveplate 440 can provide the appearance of a relatively smooth surface andotherwise hide the components or circuitry of circuit board 445.Protective plate 440 can likewise function to direct air flow from thevents of back plate 420 toward smoke chamber 430.

Hazard detector 104 can also include a battery pack 450, which can bethe main source of power for the various components of hazard detector104. In one embodiment, battery pack 450 is a backup power source andhazard detector 104 is further coupled with a primary external powersource, such as a 120 V power source of the home or enclosure. In someembodiments, a cover plate 470 can be attached to the front casing 460to provide a visually pleasing appearance or for other functionalpurposes. In a specific embodiment, cover plate 470 may include aplurality of holes or openings so that the sensors on circuit board 445can detect external objects. The plurality of openings can be arrangedto provide a visually pleasing appearance when viewed. For example, theopenings can be arranged according to a repeating pattern, such as aFibonacci or other sequence.

A lens button 480 can be coupled with or otherwise mounted to coverplate 470. Lens button 480 can be transparent, allowing the sensors toview through the lens button 480. For example, a PIR sensor (not shown)can be positioned behind the lens button 480 to detect the activity ormovement of a user. In some embodiments, lens button 480 can alsofunction as a pressable button for inputting commands, such as to shutoff a false alarm. A light ring 490 can be positioned distally behindlens button 480. The light ring 490 can be configured to receive anddisperse light, e.g., from an LED or other light source, so as toprovide a desired visual appearance, such as a halo, behind the lensbutton 480. A flexible circuit board 495 that includes one or moreelectrical components, such as a PIR sensor or LEDs, can be positionedbehind the light ring 490. Flexible circuit board 495 can beelectrically coupled to circuit board 445, enabling data communicationswith one or more microprocessors mounted on circuit board 445.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the arrangement pattern of LED lights on ahazard detector, according to an embodiment. This representationincludes five light elements 502, 504, 506, 508 and 510. Light elements500 may be turned on and off according to a number of patterns and eachmay cycle through different hue ranges. The color of each light elementmay also vary in order to provide an additional variety of visualeffects. In one embodiment, light elements 500 can generate light in atleast three colors: a first color, a second color, and a third color.The second color is between the first color and the third color on thecolor spectrum. For example, the first color can be green, the secondcolor can be yellow, and the third color can be red.

FIG. 6 is an illustration representing four different visual effectsthat can be generated by a hazard detector, according to an embodiment.Visual effect 602 is a representation of a pulsing effect that may becreated when all of lights elements 502, 504, 506, 508 and 510 (shown inFIG. 5) are turned on and off simultaneously. Alternatively, all oflight elements 502, 504, 506, 508 and 510 may increase and decrease thebrightness of the light produced in a synchronized fashion to create apulsing effect.

Visual effect 604 represents a rotating effect that can be created whenall of light elements 502, 504, 506, 508 and 510 are turned on and offsequentially in a clockwise direction. In one embodiment, turning on andoff the lights can be done in a gradual fashion. For example, lightelement 504 can gradually turn off and light element 502 gradually turnson while light elements 506, 508 and 510 are turned on at an equalbrightness.

Visual effect 608 represents a wave visual effect that can be createdwhen light elements 500 (shown in FIG. 5) turn on and off in aside-to-side direction. For example, at a given point in time, lightelement 510 is the brightest, light elements 508 and 502 are the nextbrightest, and light elements 506 and 504 are the least bright. Shortlythereafter, the lights may gradually change brightness in a linearmanner such that light elements 504 and 506 are the brightest, lights508 and 502 are the next brightest, and light 510 is the least bright.

Visual effect 610 represents a shimmer visual effect that can be createdwhen each of the light elements 500 cycle through a hue range pattern,with each light element's hue range pattern being out of sync with allthe other lights.

FIG. 7 is an illustration representing variations of a pulse visualeffect that can be generated by a hazard detector, according to anembodiment. Visual effect 702 represents an on and off pattern for poweroff or no power available situations wherein the pulse animations willtransition smoothly through pulses in order to provide an alert in anon-distracting manner. Visual effect 704 represents a left-to-rightpulse pattern that could be used when presenting a user with selectableoptions via visual effects. For example, a button can be used to selecta language preference for the operation of a hazard detector duringinitial setup. The user can be asked to press the button when the leftside is pulsing for English and when the right side is pulsing forChinese.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a rotating visual effect that can begenerated by a hazard detector, according to an embodiment. FIG. 8provides a further illustration of the rotating visual effect 604 ofFIG. 6. Viewed from left to right, FIG. 8 shows new lights turning on atone end of the rotating visual effect and other lights gradually turningoff at the other end of the rotating visual effect. The hatch patternsof each of the sequential representations illustrate how the rotatinglight may change color during the rotation sequence. Although lightelements 502, 504, 506, 508 and 510 may each be a different colorindividually, the colored light mixing causes the color of the rotatingvisual effect to constantly change during the course of the visualeffect.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the different hue range patterns associatedwith each light element for a shimmering visual effect that can begenerated by a hazard detector, according to an embodiment. The extentto which the lights 502, 504, 506, 508 and 510 are out of sync may bevaried in order to produce variations of the shimmering visual effect.

In various embodiments, the visual effects described above can be variedin a number of different ways. For example, each effect may be animatedfaster or slower, brighter or dimmer, for a specific number of animationcycles, with only some of the light participating, and using differentcolors, e.g., white, blue, green, yellow and red. These visual effectscan be generated by a hazard detector for a variety of purposes. Forexample, a specific color, animation, animation speed, etc. orcombinations thereof can represent one or more of the following alertsor notifications provided by a hazard detector: booting up, selectinglanguage, ready for connections, connected to client, button pressed,button pressed for test, countdown to test, test under way, testcompleted, pre-alarms or Heads Up notifications, smoke alarms, carbonmonoxide alarms, heat alarms, multi-criteria alarms, hushed after alarm,post-alarm, problems, night light state, reset, shutdown begin,shutdown, safely light, battery very low, battery critical, powerconfirmation, and more.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a hazard detector 1000for providing a pre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition. Hazarddetector 1000 includes a high power processor 1002, a low powerprocessor 1004, a detection module 1006, a horn 1008, a light source1010, a user interface module 1012, a speaker 1014, a storage module1016, a high power wireless module 1018, and a low power wireless module1020.

According to this preferred embodiment, a bifurcated or hybrid processorcircuit topology is used for handling various features of the hazarddetector 1000. Low power processor 1004 is a relatively small processorthat is dedicated to core hazard detection and alarming functionality aswould be provided in a conventional hazard detector. High powerprocessor 1002 is a relatively large processor that consumes more powerthan low power processor 1004 and handles more advanced features such ascloud communications, user interface features, occupancy and otherenvironmental tracking features, and more generally any other task thatwould not be considered a “core” or “conventional” detection andalarming task.

By way of example and not by way of limitation, low power processor 1004can be a Freescale KL 15 microcontroller, while high power processor1002 can be a Freescale K60 microcontroller. High power processor 1002is designed to interoperate with and is coupled to low power processor1004. Low power processor 1004 is configured to perform its coresafety-related functions regardless of the status or state of high powerprocessor 1002. Thus, even if high power processor 1002 is notavailable, low power processor 1004 will continue to perform its corefunctions to ensure that hazard detector 1000 meets all industry and/orgovernment safety standards.

Low power processor 1004 is coupled to detection module 1006, horn 1008,and light source 1010. Detection module 1006 includes safety sensors,such as smoke and CO sensors. Low power processor 1004 can polldetection module 1006 and activate horn 1008 to generate an alarm soundwhen one or more of safety sensors detect a level of hazardous substancethat is greater than or equal to an emergency threshold. Low powerprocessor 1004 can also activate light source 1010 in a specific color,such as red, when a hazardous substance is detected.

High power processor 1002 is coupled to speaker 1014 and light source1010. High power processor 1002 can also receive readings from detectionmodule 1006 via low power processor 1004. In other embodiments, highpower processor 1002 is also coupled to detection module 1006 and canreceive readings directly. If a detected hazard level is less than theemergency threshold, high power processor 1002 can check if the detectedhazard level is greater than or equal to a pre-alarm threshold. If thedetected hazard level is greater than or equal to the pre-alarmthreshold, high power processor 1002 can activate speaker 1014 togenerate speech that warns of the developing hazardous condition. Highpower processor 1002 can also activate light source 1010 in a differentcolor than when emergency levels of hazardous substance is detected. Forexample, light source 1010 can be activated in a yellow color if thedetected hazard level is greater than or equal to the pre-alarmthreshold but less than the emergency threshold.

High power processor 1002 is also coupled to high power wireless module1018 and low power wireless module 1020. In one embodiment, high powerwireless module 1018 communicates wirelessly with a router or gateway ofa local area network. The router or gateway also provides internetaccess, and high power processor 1002 can use high power wireless module1018 to transmit a hazard event or some other form of notification to acomputer server system if emergency or pre-alarm levels of hazardoussubstance is detected. The computer server system can then transmit thenotification to a user's computer or mobile device. Low power wirelessmodule 1020 communicates directly with other smart devices via apersonal area mesh network. High power processor 1002 can use low powerwireless module 1020 to transmit signals to other smart devices when ahazardous substance is detected, and the other devices can also generatealarms or pre-alarms depending on the detected hazard level.

High power processor 1002 is further coupled to user interface module1012, which can include motion sensors, audio sensors, cameras, andbuttons. User interface module 1012 receives input from a user, whichcan be in the form of a specific motion, a phrase or sound, or a buttonpress. The user input is transmitted to high power processor 1002, whichcan then determine which actions need to be taken in response to theuser input. For example, the user can perform a specific motion, such aswaving of the hands, or press a button to shut off an alarm generated byhorn 1008 or a pre-alarm generated by speaker 1014. In one embodiment,only the hazard detector that detected the hazardous substance canreceive user input to shut off the alarm or pre-alarm. Thus, if the usertries to press the button or perform the motion in front of a hazarddetector that activated the alarm or pre-alarm in response to receivinga signal from another hazard detector, the alarm or pre-alarm willcontinue to sound.

Storage module 1016 is coupled to high power processor 1002 and can beused to store the emergency and pre-alarm threshold settings. Storagemodule 1016 can also be coupled to low power processor 1004 so that lowpower processor 1004 can retrieve the threshold settings directly. Insome embodiments, hazard detector 1000 further includes heat andhumidity sensors that are coupled to high power processor 1002. Highpower processor 1002 can adjust the threshold settings based on readingsfrom the heat and humidity sensors. For example, if the heat sensordetects a rate of temperature increase that is greater than a threshold,high power processor 1002 can decrease the pre-alarm or emergencythreshold for smoke since fast rising temperatures can indicate fire. Ifthe humidity sensor detects a rise in humidity that is greater than athreshold, high power processor 1002 can increase the pre-alarm oremergency threshold for smoke since rising humidity can indicate steam,which causes false alarms.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process 1100 for providinga pre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition. Process 1100 can beperformed by a smart hazard detector such as the one described hereinabove with respect to FIG. 10. Process 1100 starts at block 1102 when ahazard level is detected. At block 1104, it is determined whether thehazard level is greater than an emergency threshold. If the hazard levelis greater than the emergency threshold, a red light is activated atblock 1106 and the horn is activated to generate an alarm at block 1108.

Referring back to block 1104, if the detected hazard level is notgreater than the emergency threshold, process 1100 goes to block 1110 todetermine if the hazard level is greater than a pre-alarm threshold. Ifthe hazard level is not greater than the pre-alarm threshold, process1100 goes back to block 1102 to repeat the process. If the hazard levelis greater than the pre-alarm threshold, a yellow light is activated atblock 1112. In other embodiments, a spatiotemporal pattern or any of thevisual effects described herein above with respect to FIGS. 5-9 can alsobe generated by the yellow light. For example, a pulsing effect can begenerated by modulating the light source that is generating the yellowlight.

At block 1114, the speaker is activated if the detected hazard level isgreater than the pre-alarm threshold. The speaker generates sounds at alower volume than the horn and can generate a variety of differentsounds and sound patterns. In one embodiment, the speaker generates asound pattern with a lower pitch or frequency than an alarm. Forexample, a bell or chime sound can be generated. In other embodiments,the speaker generates a pre-alarm speech that announces the developinghazardous condition. The speech can also include content such as thetype of hazardous substance that was detected, the location that it wasdetected at, which can be the name of a room in a house or enclosure,and a warning that the alarm may sound. For example, the speech can say:“Heads up. There is smoke in the kitchen. The horn may sound.” In oneembodiment, the light source pulses in synchronization with the speech.For example, the light source can be modulated such that the generatedlight is bright when a syllable or word is announced by the speaker andthe light is dim or off between syllables or words.

In one embodiment, the light and the speaker also provides notificationsfor when the hazardous substance is no longer detected. For example, thelight source can be activated in a green color and the speaker cangenerate speech that says: “Smoke has cleared in the kitchen.” Inanother embodiment, pre-alarm notifications can also be generated whenthe hazard detector's battery life is low. For example, if the batteryhas less than six months of life remaining or if the battery charge isbelow a certain threshold, such as 25%, the users can be informed by ayellow light and/or the speaker generating speech that indicates thebattery is low and should be replaced.

In further embodiments, pre-alarm notifications are also generated forother potential threats, such as security or structural integritythreats. For example, other smart devices or sensors in the home candetect indicators of the threats and transmit a signal to the hazarddetector that causes the hazard detector to generate the pre-alarm. Apre-alarm notification associated with a structural integrity threat cansay: “Heads up, water has been detected on the basement floor.” Furtherexamples of potential security or structural integrity threats include,by way of example, that it is past 7 PM and not all of the kids are homeyet, that a large parcel has been left on the doorstep, that a currentnetwork intrusion has been detected at the family gaming computer, orany of a variety of other predetermined potential security or structuralintegrity threats for which a trigger, conclusion, or inference can beestablished.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an exemplary environment for implementingone embodiment of a system for providing a pre-alarm of a developinghazardous condition. The exemplary environment includes a computersystem 1200 that can be used by a user 1204 to remotely control, forexample, one or more of the smart devices according to one or more ofthe embodiments described herein. The computer system 1200 canalternatively be used for carrying out one or more of the server-basedprocessing described herein above or as a processing device in a largerdistributed computer server system for carrying out processing. Thecomputer system 1200 can include a computer 1202, keyboard 1222, anetwork router 1212, a printer 1208, and a monitor 1206. The monitor1206, processor 1202 and keyboard 1222 are part of a computer system1226, which can be a laptop computer, desktop computer, handheldcomputer, mainframe computer, etc. The monitor 1206 can be a CRT, flatscreen, etc.

A user 1204 can input commands into the computer 1202 using variousinput devices, such as a mouse, keyboard 1222, track ball, touch screen,etc. If the computer system 1200 comprises a mainframe, a designer 1204can access the computer 1202 using, for example, a terminal or terminalinterface. Additionally, the computer system 1226 may be connected to aprinter 1208 and a server 1210 using a network router 1212, which mayconnect to the Internet 1218 or a WAN. While only one server 1210 isshown in the figure, it is understood that computer system 1226 can beconnected to any number of servers.

The server 1210 may be used to store additional software programs anddata. In one embodiment, software implementing the systems and methodsdescribed herein can be stored on a storage medium in the server 1210.Thus, the software can be run from the storage medium in the server1210. In another embodiment, software implementing the systems andmethods described herein can be stored on a storage medium in thecomputer 1202. Thus, the software can be run from the storage medium inthe computer system 1226. Therefore, in this embodiment, the softwarecan be used whether or not computer 1202 is connected to network router1212. Printer 1208 may be connected directly to computer 1202, in whichcase, the computer system 1226 can print whether or not it is connectedto network router 1212.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a special-purposecomputer system 1300 for providing a pre-alarm of a developing hazardouscondition. The methods and systems described herein may be implementedby computer-program products that direct a computer system to performthe actions of the methods and components. Each such computer-programproduct may comprise sets of instructions (codes) embodied on acomputer-readable medium that directs the processor of a computer systemto perform corresponding actions. The instructions may be configured torun in sequential order, or in parallel (such as under differentprocessing threads), or in a combination thereof.

Special-purpose computer system 1300 comprises a computer 1302, amonitor 1306 coupled to computer 1302, one or more additional useroutput devices 1330 (optional) coupled to computer 1302, one or moreuser input devices 1340 (e.g., keyboard, mouse, track ball, touchscreen) coupled to computer 1302, an optional communications interface1350 coupled to computer 1302, a computer-program product 1305 stored ina tangible computer-readable memory in computer 1302. Computer-programproduct 1305 directs system 1300 to perform the above-described methods.Computer 1302 may include one or more processors 1360 that communicatewith a number of peripheral devices via a bus subsystem 1390. Theseperipheral devices may include user output device(s) 1330, user inputdevice(s) 1340, communications interface 1350, and a storage subsystem,such as random access memory (RAM) 1370 and non-transitory storage drive1380 (e.g., disk drive, optical drive, solid state drive), which areforms of tangible computer-readable memory.

Computer-program product 1305 may be stored in non-transitory storagedrive 1380 or another computer-readable medium accessible to computer1302 and loaded into memory 1370. Each processor 1360 may comprise amicroprocessor, such as a microprocessor from Intel® or Advanced MicroDevices, Inc.®, or the like. To support computer-program product 1305,the computer 1302 runs an operating system that handles thecommunications of product 1305 with the above-noted components, as wellas the communications between the above-noted components in support ofthe computer-program product 1305. Exemplary operating systems includeWindows® or the like from Microsoft Corporation, Solaris® from SunMicrosystems, LINUX, UNIX, and the like.

User input devices 1340 include all possible types of devices andmechanisms to input information to computer system 1302. These mayinclude a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a scanner, a digital drawing pad,a touch screen incorporated into the display, audio input devices suchas voice recognition systems, microphones, and other types of inputdevices. In various embodiments, user input devices 1340 are typicallyembodied as a computer mouse, a trackball, a track pad, a joystick,wireless remote, a drawing tablet, a voice command system. User inputdevices 1340 typically allow a user to select objects, icons, text andthe like that appear on the monitor 1306 via a command such as a clickof a button or the like. User output devices 1330 include all possibletypes of devices and mechanisms to output information from computer1302. These may include a display (e.g., monitor 1306), printers,non-visual displays such as audio output devices, etc.

Communications interface 1350 provides an interface to othercommunication networks and devices and may serve as an interface toreceive data from and transmit data to other systems, WANs and/or theInternet 1218. Embodiments of communications interface 1350 typicallyinclude an Ethernet card, a modem (telephone, satellite, cable, ISDN), a(asynchronous) digital subscriber line (DSL) unit, a FireWire®interface, a USB® interface, a wireless network adapter, and the like.For example, communications interface 1350 may be coupled to a computernetwork, to a FireWire® bus, or the like. In other embodiments,communications interface 1350 may be physically integrated on themotherboard of computer 1302, and/or may be a software program, or thelike.

RAM 1370 and non-transitory storage drive 1380 are examples of tangiblecomputer-readable media configured to store data such ascomputer-program product embodiments of the present invention, includingexecutable computer code, human-readable code, or the like. Other typesof tangible computer-readable media include floppy disks, removable harddisks, optical storage media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, bar codes,semiconductor memories such as flash memories, read-only-memories(ROMs), battery-backed volatile memories, networked storage devices, andthe like. RAM 1370 and non-transitory storage drive 1380 may beconfigured to store the basic programming and data constructs thatprovide the functionality of various embodiments of the presentinvention, as described above.

Software instruction sets that provide the functionality of the presentinvention may be stored in RAM 1370 and non-transitory storage drive1380. These instruction sets or code may be executed by the processor(s)1360. RAM 1370 and non-transitory storage drive 1380 may also provide arepository to store data and data structures used in accordance with thepresent invention. RAM 1370 and non-transitory storage drive 1380 mayinclude a number of memories including a main random access memory (RAM)to store instructions and data during program execution and a read-onlymemory (ROM) in which fixed instructions are stored. RAM 1370 andnon-transitory storage drive 1380 may include a file storage subsystemproviding persistent (non-transitory) storage of program and/or datafiles. RAM 1370 and non-transitory storage drive 1380 may also includeremovable storage systems, such as removable flash memory.

Bus subsystem 1390 provides a mechanism to allow the various componentsand subsystems of computer 1302 to communicate with each other asintended. Although bus subsystem 1390 is shown schematically as a singlebus, alternative embodiments of the bus subsystem may utilize multiplebusses or communication paths within the computer 1302.

FIGS. 14-20 represent various illumination states that may be output bya hazard detector, such as the hazard detectors and other smart-homedevices detailed herein. Such illumination states may involve variouscolors and animations. Synthesized or recorded spoken audio messages mayaccompany at least some of such illumination states as detailed in thecharts of FIGS. 14-20. The majority of the time, it can be expected thatno light of a hazard detector will be illuminated. When the light isilluminated, the hazard detector is conveying a message (other than iflight state 1403 is illuminated). States 1401 and 1402, which involveblue and green illumination, are illustrated in FIG. 14 and may bepresented during a set up process. State 1403 involves a conditionalillumination state, which can be referred to as a “path light” state.Such a state may be illuminated in response to motion and the brightnesslevel in an ambient environment of a hazard detector dropping below athreshold brightness level. States 1404 and 1405 represent pre-alarm(pre-alert or early warning) states and emergency (alert or alarm)states. State 1406 may be for a separate light of the hazard detectorthat is indicative of if a wired (e.g., non-battery) power source isconnected and available, such as a household's 140 V AC power supply.State 1407 may be used as part of a setup process. For instance,“[device]” may be replaced with a spoken indication of the brand name ofthe hazard detector. State 1408 may be presented when a user presses abutton to test the hazard detector. State 1409 may represent a statethat is indicative of a potential danger and may server as an earlywarning. For state 1409 (and other states having a similar designation),[room type] may be replaced with a spoken indication of the type of roomin which the hazard detector is installed. At the time of installation,a user may have specified to the hazard detector, such as via aselection menu, the type of room in which the hazard detector was beinginstalled. States 1410 and 1411 represent additional pre-alarm states.States 1412, 1413, and 1414 represent various alarm (alert) states.State 1415 may be output when a smoke hazard is clearing. State 1416 maybe output when a carbon monoxide hazard is clearing. States 1417, 1418,1419, 1420, 1421 represent states output in response to a status checkthat identifies a problem with the hazard detector. Such a state beingoutput may require one or more user actions to resolve.

Preferably, the voice advisories during emergency-level alerts areinterleaved in time during silent periods between loud, shrieking tonalalarm patterns, so as to comply with regulations such as National FireProtection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL)standards that require a maximum silence period between tonal alarmpatterns of 1.5 seconds (Ref UL2034, UL217, NFPA72 and NFPA720).

It should be understood that the above detailed illumination states andaudio messages are merely exemplary. In various other embodiments, thecolors, animations, definitions and/or audio messages may be modified.

In order to provide input to various embodiments of the hazard detectorsdetailed herein, it may be possible to perform a gesture to provideinput, which may result in silencing “nuisance” alarms—that is, alarmstriggered by a non-hazardous condition (e.g., burning toast). Within adistance of approximately 2-6 feet of the hazard detector, a wave of auser's hand and arm can be detected. In some embodiments, multiple wavesmust be performed for the gesture to be detected. As detailed inrelation to FIG. 21, some of the pre-alert or alert states may silenced,at least temporarily, by using a wave gesture. In some situations, asnoted in FIG. 21, certain situations preclude the alarm from beingsilenced. A wave gesture can also be used for canceling a manual testand/or to hear a detailed message when a visual status is beingpresented via illumination. In some embodiments, rather than performinga gesture, a user may push a button (or physically actuate some otherpart) of the hazard detector.

If multiple hazard detectors are present, all of the hazard detectorsmay output light and sound of a heads-up (pre-alert) or emergency(alert) situation is present. To silence an alarm (either in thepre-alert or alert state), the user may be required to perform thegesture (or push a button) at the hazard detector that originallydetected the hazard. Once the proper hazard detector is silenced, eachother hazard detector may be silenced (based on wireless communicationbetween the hazard detectors).

Referring to FIG. 22, an exemplary situation of when a heads-up(pre-alert) state is used. A gentle heads-up (pre-alert) warns a user ofa condition that has risen above normal, but has not yet triggered afull alert (emergency) state. Sounds and messages output during apre-alert state are intended to be less irritating and urgent thanmessages during an alert state. By having such a pre-alarm state, usersmay be less likely to disable a hazard detector and, thus, the hazarddetector may be more likely to be functioning when needed.

As an example, at point 2210, the hazard detector is monitoring itsambient environment for hazards, such as smoke and carbon monoxide. Anincreased level of carbon monoxide or smoke may be detected at point2220. At such point, a pre-alert message and illumination may be outputto warn users of the impending conditions. Such a pre-alert may involvea notable, but non-jarring (in comparison to a shrieking emergency alarmsound), bell or ringing sound. The notable but non-jarring sound may besimilar in intensity to the bell sound emitted by an elevator whenarriving at the target floor, which is enough to notify but not so muchas to unpleasantly jar the user. A user may be permitted to silence sucha heads-up (pre-alert) message. At point 2230, a full alarm may besounded, which may involve a loud, shrill alarm sound. At point 2240, amessage (with an accompanying illumination state) may be outputindicative of normal conditions resuming. Heads-up (pre-alert) statesare associated with a yellow illumination state while emergency (alert)states are associated with red illumination states. If the hazard levelin the environment of the hazard detector rises quickly, no pre-alertstate may be entered by the hazard detector. Rather, the alarm state maybe directly entered from a monitoring state.

It is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process which isdepicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a swim diagram, a data flowdiagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a depictionmay describe the operations as a sequential process, many of theoperations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition,the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminatedwhen its operations are completed, but could have additional steps notincluded in the figure. A process may correspond to a method, afunction, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a processcorresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return ofthe function to the calling function or the main function.

Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software,scripting languages, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardwaredescription languages, and/or any combination thereof. For a hardwareimplementation, the processing units may be implemented within one ormore application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signalprocessors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors,other electronic units designed to perform the functions describedabove, and/or a combination thereof.

For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies may beimplemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) thatperform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable mediumtangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing themethodologies described herein. For example, software codes may bestored in a memory. Memory may be implemented within the processor orexternal to the processor. As used herein the term “memory” refers toany type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or otherstorage medium and is not to be limited to any particular type of memoryor number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “storage medium” may representone or more memories for storing data, including read only memory (ROM),random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic diskstorage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/orother machine readable mediums for storing information. The term“machine-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to portable orfixed storage devices, optical storage devices, wireless channels,and/or various other storage mediums capable of storing that contain orcarry instruction(s) and/or data.

While the principles of the disclosure have been described above inconnection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearlyunderstood that this description is made only by way of example and notas limitation on the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hazard detector for providing a pre-alarm of adeveloping hazardous condition, the hazard detector comprising: adetection module configured to detect a hazard level, the hazard levelindicating an amount of at least one of smoke and carbon monoxide (CO)present at the hazard detector; a storage module configured to store apre-alarm threshold and an emergency threshold, the pre-alarm thresholdbeing less than the emergency threshold; a light source configured togenerate light in a first color, a second color, and a third color, thesecond color being between the first color and the third color on acolor spectrum; a speaker configured to generate an audible sound; ahorn configured to generate an audible alarm at a higher volume than thespeaker; and a processing module coupled to the detection module, thestorage module, the light source, the speaker, and the horn, theprocessing module being configured to: receive the detected hazard levelfrom the detection module, compare the detected hazard level with thepre-alarm threshold, compare the detected hazard level with theemergency threshold, determine that the detected hazard level is greaterthan the pre-alarm threshold and less than the emergency threshold,generate an audible pre-alarm speech via the speaker in response todetermining that the detected hazard level is greater than the pre-alarmthreshold and less than the emergency threshold, the audible pre-alarmspeech including content that warns of the developing hazardouscondition, and activate the light source in the second color in responseto determining that the detected hazard level is greater than thepre-alarm threshold and less than the emergency threshold.
 2. The hazarddetector of claim 1, further comprising: a high power wireless modulecoupled to the processing module, the high power wireless module beingconfigured to transmit and receive data wirelessly via a local areanetwork, wherein the processing module is further configured to transmita hazard event to a computer server system via the high power wirelessmodule, the hazard event indicating the detection of the hazard levelthat is greater than the pre-alarm threshold and less than the emergencythreshold.
 3. The hazard detector of claim 2, further comprising: a lowpower wireless module coupled to the processing module, the low powerwireless module being configured to transmit and receive data wirelesslyvia a personal area network at a slower rate of data transfer than thehigh power wireless module, and further configured to consume less powerthan the high power wireless module, wherein the processing module isfurther configured to transmit a signal to a second hazard detector viathe low power wireless module in response to determining that thedetected hazard level is greater than the pre-alarm threshold and lessthan the emergency threshold, the signal to cause the second hazarddetector to generate a second audible pre-alarm speech and activate asecond light source in the second color.
 4. The hazard detector of claim1, further comprising: a user interface module coupled to the processingmodule, the user interface module being configured to receive user inputfrom a user, wherein the processing module is further configured to:receive the user input from the user interface module, and stopgenerating the audible pre-alarm speech in response to receiving theuser input.
 5. The hazard detector of claim 4, wherein the userinterface module includes a motion detector, and wherein the user inputis a specific motion of the user that is detected by the motiondetector.
 6. The hazard detector of claim 1, further comprising: ahumidity sensor coupled to the processing module, wherein the processingmodule is further configured to: receive a reading from the humiditysensor indicating an increase in humidity level, and increase thepre-alarm threshold in response to receiving the reading.
 7. The hazarddetector of claim 1, further comprising: a heat sensor coupled to theprocessing module, wherein the processing module is further configuredto: receive a reading from the heat sensor indicating a rate of increasein temperature that is greater than a heat threshold, and decrease thepre-alarm threshold in response to receiving the reading.
 8. The hazarddetector of claim 1, wherein the processing module includes a high powerprocessor and a low power processor, wherein the high power processor isoperatively coupled to the speaker, and wherein the low power processoris operatively coupled to the horn.
 9. A method for providing apre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition, the method comprising:detecting a first hazard level, the first hazard level indicating anamount of at least one of smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) present at ahazard detector; comparing the first hazard level with an emergencythreshold; determining that the first hazard level is greater than theemergency threshold; activating a horn that generates an audible alarmin response to determining that the first hazard level is greater thanthe emergency threshold; activating a first light source that generatesa red colored light in response to determining that the first hazardlevel is greater than the emergency threshold; detecting a second hazardlevel; comparing the second hazard level with the emergency threshold;determining that the second hazard level is less than the emergencythreshold; comparing the second hazard level with a pre-alarm threshold,the pre-alarm threshold being less than the emergency threshold;determining that the second hazard level is greater than the pre-alarmthreshold; activating a second light source that generates a yellowcolored light in response to determining that the second hazard level isgreater than the pre-alarm threshold and less than the emergencythreshold; and activating a speaker that generates an audible pre-alarmspeech at a lower volume than the horn in response to determining thatthe second hazard level is greater than the pre-alarm threshold and lessthan the emergency threshold, the audible pre-alarm speech includingcontent that warns of the developing hazardous condition.
 10. The methodof claim 9, further comprising: not activating the horn in response todetermining that the second hazard level is greater than the pre-alarmthreshold and less than the emergency threshold.
 11. The method of claim9, further comprising: detecting a battery level of the hazard detectorthat is less than a battery threshold; generating audible battery speechvia the speaker in response to detecting the battery level, the audiblebattery speech including content that warns of a low battery level; andactivating the second light source in response to detecting the batterylevel.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the audible pre-alarm speechfurther includes content that warns of the horn being activated togenerate the audible alarm.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein theaudible pre-alarm speech further includes content indicating a detectedhazardous substance.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the audiblepre-alarm speech further includes content indicating a location of thehazard detector.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the location is aroom within an enclosure.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium,having instructions stored therein, which when executed cause a computerto perform a set of operations comprising: detecting a hazard level thatindicates an amount of at least one of smoke and carbon monoxide (CO)present at a hazard detector; comparing the hazard level with anemergency threshold; determining that the hazard level is less than theemergency threshold; comparing the hazard level with a pre-alarmthreshold, the pre-alarm threshold being less than the emergencythreshold; determining that the hazard level is greater than thepre-alarm threshold; activating a light source that generates light in afirst color, a second color, and a third color, the second color beingbetween the first color and the third color on a color spectrum, thelight source being activated in the second color in response todetermining that the hazard level is greater than the pre-alarmthreshold and less than the emergency threshold; and activating aspeaker that generates an audible pre-alarm speech in response todetermining that the hazard level is greater than the pre-alarmthreshold and less than the emergency threshold, the audible pre-alarmspeech including content that warns of a developing hazardous condition.17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein thefirst color is a green color, the second color is a yellow color, andthe third color is a red color.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 16, having further instructions stored therein, whichwhen executed cause the computer to perform a set of operationscomprising: modulating the light source to generate a pulse effect thatpulses in synchronization with the audible pre-alarm speech.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, having furtherinstructions stored therein, which when executed cause the computer toperform a set of operations comprising: generating a spatiotemporalpattern with the light source.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 16, having further instructions stored therein, whichwhen executed cause the computer to perform a set of operationscomprising: generating a bell or chime sound via the speaker in responseto determining that the hazard level is greater than the pre-alarmthreshold and less than the emergency threshold.